Montreal visit, what may I expect beer distribution wise?

Hello all,
Still months out, but I'm so excited that I let curiosity get the best of me. Spent some time in the GTA, so if common between provinces, Québec and Ontario, I'd expected comparatively to the States, things are going to be expensive. However, what's the distribution like; what's available? Are some of the Belgian beers such as Cantillon available?

Dépaneurs are allowed to sell Québec made products, so most beers available will be those, and the best bottle shops are full of local beers. Imported beers (even from other provinces) are only sold at the SAQ and they have a piss poor selection, mainly towards Belgians (which are cheaper than the US though).

DDC is easy to find, especially if you look at the best bottle shops (Peluso IIRC), and there are many threads about this (including a very recent one). I would also look for Trou de Diable, Trois Mousquetaires & Hopfenstark beers.

I'll add Dunham to the list of breweries to check out. Trou du Diable's distribution is very sporadic and limited (they just released 2 beers) but with their new brewery opening up this year, their products should be more readily available.

Hey guys, thanks for all the great help thus far!!! As for timing, the only date set is April 20th, I've got Habs vs. Caps tickets. But other than that, I don't know if I'll be in before, after or both of the 20th.

Hello all,
Still months out, but I'm so excited that I let curiosity get the best of me. Spent some time in the GTA, so if common between provinces, Québec and Ontario, I'd expected comparatively to the States, things are going to be expensive. However, what's the distribution like; what's available? Are some of the Belgian beers such as Cantillon available?

I'm probably going to move to Montreal soon from Houston. Does anyone know what types of U.S. breweries are available? I would be sad if I couldn't get any of the ones I'm used to.

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Not many / any. Lots of great local beer, but they really get nothing of substance from Canada & US. Their liquor laws & SAQ monopoly have promoted great local beer, but crush any ability to get a good import (unless you join Biereophile)

Not many / any. Lots of great local beer, but they really get nothing of substance from Canada & US. Their liquor laws & SAQ monopoly have promoted great local beer, but crush any ability to get a good import (unless you join Biereophile)

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Maybe this is a stupid question but I don't know: are you allowed to go and buy beer from the states and bring it into Canada?

Maybe this is a stupid question but I don't know: are you allowed to go and buy beer from the states and bring it into Canada?

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Yes, but there are rules concerning how much you can bring back and whether there are any tariffs. I am sure someone more knowledgeable on the subject would be happy to fill you in on the details or, at least, direct you to where you can obtain the info yourself.

ok , boston person here jumping in. If I do get up to Montreal for beer exploration, would beers from - Night Shift, Idle Hands, Mystic Brewery, Trillium, Blue hills Brewery and Jacks Abby stand up for trading or are they common up there. Looking at customs it seems up to 12 large bottles can be brought in. is anything near me (boston area) trade worthy?

ok , boston person here jumping in. If I do get up to Montreal for beer exploration, would beers from - Night Shift, Idle Hands, Mystic Brewery, Trillium, Blue hills Brewery and Jacks Abby stand up for trading or are they common up there. Looking at customs it seems up to 12 large bottles can be brought in. is anything near me (boston area) trade worthy?

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I would guess they are all highly desired/values, and not available to people who don't travel down to New England often.

The best rule of thumb is that if it is not made in Quebec, it is not distributed in Quebec. There are a few exceptions (the typically paltry stock kept at the SAQ), but nobody here has any of what you mentioned.